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Thursday, May 14, 2009

Paris Signs

The 1st sign that greeted me upon arrival in the Metro from Galeries Lafayette - a stop in your tracks poster. Where else do they have such beautiful street signs? My refrigerator is cluttered with these in miniature. Freshly made ardoise signs everyday like the baguettes they announce. Many hand-made signs everywhere - I love the personal touch... When you see this sign in any traiteur's window, stop and buy the item - it's a signal thatLe Figero deems them worthy of their best/Notre classement des meilleurs lists, whether it be tartelettes au citron, eclairs, baguettes, crepes etc. This shop has the 2nd best "jambon-beurre" in Paris. STOP and eat! They must be obeyed. More Parisien scrawled handwriting and a no doggies allowed sign.I relate to scrawly writing instantly. Another sign to be obeyed. When a sale is announced you must buy. The sales help always wear special "SOLDE" T-shirts. A beautiful old fashioned jewelry sign caught my eye.

The Belle Epoch Metro signs =miam!

Who here hasn't gazed at this Paris sign in confusion?Where am I and where do I want to go? HELP!

Sounds like you've arrived....hope you stayed dry yesterday afternoon. I (stupidly) left the apartment when it was sunny and still 70 degrees with not an umbrella, sweater or coat in sight. Boy, was I in for a surprise....got drenched to the bone...talk about a wet rat...

Carol, enjoy your time in Paris. I am envious. Enjoy the macaroons, citron tarts and all the city has to offer. My husband is getting hungry looking at your blog and I am just disappointed that I am not there...

My fridge has also these "rues de Paris"(Bd St.Germain and Place St.Michel...All around mon quartier,u know,I want it to feel it like my Parisian home ;D).About your answer to my comment to the Flashy pic.,I think that what people call the"french"touch is more about the"Parisian"one:you know that "aux Provinces"way of life/dress/think has,in general terms,not much more to do with the Paris way(except,maybe,the south-east,but only a bit)And,of course,this idea is an idealism of the Paris esence,not everyone in Paris or France is doing that way ;DI agree with u in hating bieng a part of the crowd and prefer to follow a personal and untimeless style,that thing that allows anyone think of yourself when he watch a thing (clothes,furniture,music),saying,f.e.,"that´s so Carol"...And it allows u to wear,listen,do,mix everything,without matter if the dress has 10 years old,the manchettes comes from your Grand-grandmother and the sandals were bought on 2000 in Paris.Today that´s difficult because there´s a need about constant new things and about feeling a part of that new thing that´s happening (and this way of thinking which doesn´t value the individual,the person,turns us sheeps even parisian sheeps;D)

And after this deep philosophical"speech" your day can only improve ;DHAND

Oh so many lovely sights...I can taste that jambon et buerre...why can no one make a sandwiche like the french - of course, I never eat buerre unless I am in france, maybe that's why :-) And I love that you still love to see madame la tour all lit up...such a thrill! Keep em coming :-) Diane

What signs!!! How can we be so nuts over these.. As delicious as the Tartes, Ms Agog.... absolutely scrumptious. And mini signs on the goodies....these parisians.... Yummmmm. Love the Bijoux Signage.. and and and all of it. ;-)))Ahhhhhh. sigh.

If you want some fantastic chocolates go to Jacques Genin, 133, rue de Turenne (3rd), Tél: 01 45 77 29 01He just opened this beautiful shop, go upstairs to see them making the chocolate jewels. I think he is one of best in Paris. Let us know what you think.

Ha! I went to Jacque Genin today!Because he is #2 on Le Figaro's list for the best Tarte Citron.His very nice boutique is way out of the way in an area where there is ZERO of interest.His caramels are 110 euros for a kilo (!)So 1/2 pound would be 25 eurosEeeekThe place was empty. Still I would have sat down, but they were not very interested to help.Even Figero said they were empty.Ca m'en nerve...I walked out and went to #1 Tarte Citron Carlo Marletti on the other side of town and they were delightful!That is my sad Jaque Genin story...

Hello!Yesterday I saw this Eiffel Tower at BHV/rue de Rivoli (1st floor).It's a big one (about 1m50) in several pieces you have to put together and paint.Have a great stay in Paris!Marie-Paule(macarron addict and paris-breakfasts addict, but a very poorly "english writer")

Bon jour cherie! Hope all is well. Try to see if you can get to "le Petite Fut aux Cheval" On rue Vielle du Temple this time. Its a little resto with more seating on the sidewalk than inside. They make a yummy tart aux pommes that my friends loved, though not as fancy as the ones you show. I go there for the tar tar, but sans l'oeuf!

Hi Carol,When we were in Paris two summers ago, my then 15-year old son loved the street-level billboards that had rolling pictures, because if we walked by one at just the right time, a semi-nude model would flash by, advertising something! When I asked him the other day for a memory that he really liked, he came up with THAT! lol! --Sharon

Great post! I've been here for almost 6 years and have never quite appreciated the French signs like this before reading your entry! And welcome back to Paris! Hope the weather clears up a bit for you during your stay!

I, for one, am glad you weren't treated well at #2 best citron tarte....after all you deserve the best, Number one! Bien sur! Those hot dog shaped macarons.... a whole new world of possiblity...but let's call them eclair shaped...so much more inspiring.

Paris Letters

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5. I'm still at it, now tripping over cobblestones, living in a 6th-floor garret on l'Ile Saint-Louis, Paris. Read Parisbreakfast with a hot chocolate and croissant.
I paint Paris breakfasts.